Head Start expansion gains steam in Salem

SALEM — A bill that would extend Head Start preschool early education programs to all eligible Oregon youngsters who want them sailed out of a Senate committee after glowing praise for the proposal from teachers, children's advocates and even a police chief.

In fact, there was no opposition to Senate Bill 46 at the Senate Education and General Government Committee meeting. The only questions, said Chairwoman Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, are how to pay for it and deciding whether Head Start is the best place for the Legislature's limited pot of money for early childhood education.

Head Start provides preschool education for 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families, but it goes beyond that. It gives the children access to medical and dental care and good nutrition and provides their families with parenting education and access to services such as career counseling and adult education.

Witnesses today cited research on the value of Head Start to low-income families: better success in school; lower dropout rates; less need for remedial programs; and higher earnings for graduates as adults.